Rejuvenated Madzar revels in champs' rise to the top

Marsaxlokk dislodged Valletta from the summit of the Premier League standings this week. Lately, they are firing on all cylinders but their drive to the top also owes to the goalscoring exploits of Alexandr Madzar.

The Montenegro player scored four goals in Marsaxlokk's back-to-back victories in the Championship Pool which lifted the champions one point clear of former leaders Valletta who were held to a one-all draw by Birkirkara on Monday.

This has been quite a turnaround in fortunes for Madzar this season. After six frustrating months with Sliema Wanderers, where he only managed to score four goals, the towering forward seems to have found a new lease of life down south.

Despite having played only five matches for Marsaxlokk since his move in January, Madzar has already equalled the goal tally he had for the Wanderers and is looking hungry for more.

"I think that my fine form of late is a perfect response to those who thought that Alexandr Madzar was finished," he told The Times.

"This season, I received a lot of criticism from many who thought that I had forgot how to play football but now I think that they will have to change their views. When I was axed by Sliema that hurt my pride. They no longer believed that I could deliver the goods but they were wrong.

"When I joined Marsaxlokk I had one aim in mind... to establish myself among the best forwards in the Premier League and I think I'm going in the right direction.

"Still, I feel that I'm far from peak form and I'll keep working hard to attain that level."

Madzar was released by the Wanderers in January to make way for Brazilian Carlos Ventura. Brian Talbot, the Marsaxlokk coach, quickly moved in to secure his signature. Madzar has only words of praise for his new coach.

"I owe a lot to Brian Talbot," Madzar said.

"When I came to Marsaxlokk I was low in confidence but he made it clear that he had great faith in my ability and wanted me to become a key member in the team. He is a very talented person with a wide knowledge of the game. He played at Arsenal and certainly knows how he can bring the best out of his players.

"There's a good atmosphere at Marsaxlokk. All the players here work for each other and that is the main difference I noted from my time with Sliema. There was no team spirit there but, thanks to Talbot, at Marsaxlokk all players try to do the best for the team."

At Marsaxlokk, Madzar, 29, has struck a perfect tandem with another player who was also deemed surplus to requirements at his ex-club.

Julio Alcorse was another Talbot signing in January after a disappointing spell with Hibernians.

Alcorse, of Argentina, seems to be a different player ever since making his first appearance for the champions.

"Julio is a fantastic player," Madzar said.

"At the moment he is one of the best forwards in the league. He has great skill with the ball and his vision is second to none. Although we don't speak the same language there is great understanding between us and we are finding each other very easily on the pitch.

"We have only been in the same team for a few weeks but it's like we have been together for ages. The best thing about it is that there is ample room for improvement and I'm sure that both of us have a great future together at Marsaxlokk."

Marsaxlokk's 4-2 victory over Sliema last weekend has prompted pundits to rule out the Wanderers from the title race, leaving the southerners in a two-horse race with Valletta for the league title.

Although Madzar agreed that it will be difficult for Sliema to get back in contention, he did not rule out the possibility that his former club, along with Birkirkara, could get back in the reckoning if Valletta and Marsaxlokk hit a dark patch.

Still, when asked on his ambitions this season Madzar was quite clear where his intentions lie.

"I want to win the championship with Marsaxlokk," Madzar said.

"Second or third place is no good for us. Given the quality we have in our squad we should not feel inferior to anyone. There are still eight matches to go. Now we're on top and I believe that we can go all the way to win the league title."

Madzar has been in Malta for almost 12 months now after joining the Wanderers from Romanian club SC Vaslui. He started his career in the youth ranks of Red Star Belgrade, had spells in Cyprus, with AEP Paphos, and also played for Poland's Zaglebie Sosnowiec.

Asked about his future Madzar said: "I want to end my career playing in Malta.

"I'm very happy here and I'm settled with my family. I have a contract with Marsaxlokk until the end of the season and once the campaign comes to an end I will sit down and see what options we have. I would like to keep playing for Marsaxlokk but it's still early to say what will happen.

"At the moment I'm fully focused on helping Marsaxlokk to finish first in the Premier League."